Will this totally disqualify someone?

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I'm trying to get the answer to a difficult question, and I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction.

A friend of mine who was about 75% of the way through nursing school got herself into some trouble. In order to deal with some extreme back pain, she took some oxycontin pills for a few days that a co-worker had offered her. Before she knew it, she was addicted... She did the right thing and checked herself into a rehab clinic, and thankfully is doing fine now.

My question is, where does this leave her potential nursing career? She has no criminal record or even arrest in regards to this incident, but will it matter? Is this the type of issue that is decided on a state by state or even hospital by hospital basis? Her family and I are just trying to give her some guidance.

I'd greatly appreciate any insight anyone can offer on this matter.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I’m trying to get the answer to a difficult question, and I’m hoping someone can steer me in the right direction.

A friend of mine who was about 75% of the way through nursing school got herself into some trouble. In order to deal with some extreme back pain, she took some oxycontin pills for a few days that a co-worker had offered her. Before she knew it, she was addicted… She did the right thing and checked herself into a rehab clinic, and thankfully is doing fine now.

My question is, where does this leave her potential nursing career? She has no criminal record or even arrest in regards to this incident, but will it matter? Is this the type of issue that is decided on a state by state or even hospital by hospital basis? Her family and I are just trying to give her some guidance.

I’d greatly appreciate any insight anyone can offer on this matter.

My question would be did this addiction cause her to miss time from her nursing school? and how did she obtain more oxycotin in order to become addicted? If she didn't miss any school and she wasn't involved in anything illegal I don't see where she would have any problems. I commend your friend for going to rehab.

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She needs to contact the school and the BON to see if this will be a problem for her.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing licensure with criminal history

Questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

Is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history?

Is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a MIP, DUI, or other related charges?

What happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?

Can I go to nursing school and/or be licensed if my record has been sealed or expunged?

Will I be able to go to nursing school with a criminal record?

What can happen if I receive a MIP/DUI/DWI or other charge while still in school?

These are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. The only reliable source of information is your State Board of Nursing.

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